The Koishikawa Botanical Gardens, located in Northern Tokyo, is owned and operated by the department of the Graduate School of Science of The University of Tokyo. These gardens are both a research site and a public space, covering roughly 16 hectares and around 4000 different species of plants.
Established in 1684 by the Tokugawa Shogunate, Koishikawa Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Japan. Initially, it served as a medicinal herb garden for studying plant-based treatments which was previously known as Koishikawa Oyakuen, but in 1877 was turned over to University of Tokyo, where it would eventually become the Koishikawa Botanical Gardens and the birthplace of modern Botany in Japan.
The Koishikawa Botanical Gardens are among the top Cherry Blossom viewing places in Tokyo, thanks to the relatively quiet area that sees less tourists than other parts of the cities.
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Hours and Admission
- Hours: 9:00am - 4:30pm (4:00pm Last Entry)
- 500JPY
- Average Time Spent: 45 Minutes
- Official Website
Accessing Koishikawa Botanical Gardens
Because of it’s convenient location in Northern Tokyo, there is a wide network of rail services that stop within a few short minutes of walking. The entrance to the park is located in the south eastern corner of the park.
The closest train station to the park is Hakusan Station, which is 12 minute walk away from the gardens. Coming from Tokyo Station area, the travel time will be 15 minutes along the Mita Line, departing from Otemachi Station (located just outside the east entrance of the Tokyo Station). This journey will cost 220JPY one way.
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